It is obvious, even to the passing observer, that our nation has moved farther away from its traditional ideas and its general focus upon godly principles. For the child of God, it can become disheartening, discouraging, and down right scary to think about a continued move in the current direction. So many things do not make sense to us. We see the emergence of a new world view, which gives little to no attention to God, except to attack Him. Man has tried to change God's definition of the home. Man has tried to change God's definition of life. Man has tried to change God's definition of the creation of the world. So many things seem to be going against the truth, which has been delivered to man through God's inspired word. In circumstances like these, there are some specific things that Christians must remember.

Government Can Not Save Us!

God does not have a national system today equivalent to the system He had with Israel. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is not applicable in the same way it was during the Mosaic age, because the USA is not God's nation, nor is it called by His name. God's nation which is called by His name today is the church of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ did not die for the USA alone, nor is the USA the only location on the map where God's people dwell. The kingdom which Jesus came to establish (His church) was the one which would break all others into pieces. His kingdom will last through eternity, while all other kingdoms only last a short while, relatively speaking. We must recognize that baptism into Christ does not put us into a physical nation, but an holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9).

The Government, therefore, is not the answer to all problems. The government cannot stop immorality. The government cannot stop wickedness. The government cannot stop ungodliness. If we think the government will take care of those things, we have put our trust in the wrong thing. The Bible teaches that sin and wickedness would always be with us (1 Cor. 5:10), and that the majority of those who live on this earth will take the wrong path, which will lead to destruction (Mat. 7:13-14). We need to put our trust in Jesus of Nazareth, who proved by many wonderful works to be the son of God.

Should We Obey God or Government?

Well, the answer to that question is "both" if at all possible, but sometimes we recognize that the laws of the land are not in keeping with the laws of God. In those circumstances, the Bible is clear: "we ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). This does not mean we should rise up violently against our government or its representatives, that is not the purpose of the Kingdom of Christ (John 18:36). The faithful child of God will always stand for God's will, no matter what the circumstances or the cost. But he must always act in a way which is becoming of a Christian, one who correctly wears the name of Christ.

While we might "pledge allegiance to the flag" (which has its roots in nationalistic socialism), our fullest allegiance is to God Almighty. We must recognize that we are first and foremost a Christian, no matter where we may reside. This world is not our permanent home, our citizenship is in heaven (Phi. 3:20). While our patriotism may be part of our life, Jesus is our life (Col. 3:4).

God Rules in the Kingdoms of Men (Dan. 4:17, 25)!

This is an absolute which we must not forget. God's general providence falls upon all of mankind, while His special providence is available for His faithful children (Mat. 5:45; 6:24-33; Rom. 8:28). God has a plan, and is providentially working His plan. It is not up to us to always know His ways and His devices (Isa. 55:8-9), it is our duty to follow what has been revealed to us and leave the rest up to Him (Deut. 29:29). That is the perfect example of a trusting faith (Pro. 3:4-6).

Go...Teach All Nations!

Our duty is not to fret and worry, our duty is to teach. The Apostles went into all the world under the rule of one of the most wicked empires the world has ever know. The historian Suetonius has documented some of the debauchery and indecency of twelve of the rulers of that empire, some of whom reigned during the time of Christ and the Apostles. They did not allow the world around them discourage them from the charge that was given to them, which was preaching and teaching the Gospel (Mat. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).

Let your voice be heard at the ballot box, which is our duty as American citizens. But even more so, we MUST let our voices be heard as we teach the soul-saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.